Fluorescent anodization dye and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A method for anodizing and dying metal using a fluorescent anodization dye includes cleaning a metallic object to remove grease, chemicals, impurities and existing anodization; performing an anodization procedure on the metallic object; submerging the metallic object within a fluorescent dye bath; and sealing the fluorescent dye and anodization to the metallic object surface.

CROSS-REFEREMCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/835,731 filed on Apr. 18, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to processes and compositions of anodization dye and more particularly to a fluorescent anodization dye and a process for applying the same.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Anodizing metal is an electrochemical process that converts the surface of the metal into a durable and corrosion resistant anodic oxide finish. Although different metals can be anodized, aluminum and titanium are best suited for this process. One of the most commonly utilized types of anodized aluminum is in the automobile industry whereby vehicle body panels are often anodized and then coated with a specialized dye that binds to the metal, thus preventing the same from peeling and chipping. Moreover, other industries such as aerospace, marine, and medical products, for example, benefit from the corrosion resistant surface which maintains its hardness in harsh environments.

Owing to the specialized nature of anodizing dyes, it has heretofore been difficult to combine these dyes with other products to create variances in appearance. This is because the magnetic properties of the anodizing dyes do not blend well with other materials and when blended within a dye bath separate themselves from other materials.

As such, if a user wanted to include a fluorescent quality to a piece of anodized metal, the only previous solution was to apply a thin coat of fluorescent paint over the anodization dye. Such a process was cumbersome, time intensive and did not allow the peel and chipping resistant qualities of the underlying metal to be enjoyed by the fluorescent material.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a fluorescent anodizing dye that can provide both color, luminescence, and the beneficial anodizing properties to a piece of metal in a single application process, so as to eliminate the drawbacks described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method for anodizing and dying metal using a fluorescent anodization dye. One embodiment of the present invention can include cleaning the metallic object to remove foreign substances such as grease, chemicals, impurities and existing anodization. Next, the material can be submerged within an anodization bath and receive a specified current and voltage. Next, a fluorescent dye can be created for imparting a fluorescent color onto the metallic object under an ultraviolet light.

In one embodiment, the metallic object can be suspended within the fluorescent bath for a predetermined period of time. The fluorescent bath can be heated, and upon removal from the bath, the object can be suspended within a solution to seal the fluorescent dye and anodized surface.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a process flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for anodizing and dying metal using a fluorescent anodization dye.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

As described throughout this document, a fluorescent anodization dye can be used in conjunction with an anodization process to impart fluorescent properties onto a piece of metal. Although described below with regard to a particular color, this is for illustrative purposes only, as many other colors can be achieved using the inventive process without undue experimentation.

In one embodiment, green fluorescent anodization dye can be formed from a solution containing 1% Pyranine in distilled water solution.

In one embodiment, light teal fluorescent anodization dye can be formed from a solution containing 1% Pyranine in a glycol solution.

In one embodiment, dark teal fluorescent anodization dye can be formed from a solution containing 1% Pyranine in an Ethylene glycol solution.

In one embodiment, blue fluorescent anodization dye can be formed from a solution containing 1% Triphenylmethane in a distilled water solution.

In one embodiment, orange fluorescent anodization dye can be formed from a solution containing 1% Xanthene and Coumarin in a glycol solution.

In one embodiment, pink fluorescent anodization dye can be formed from a solution containing 1% Rhodamine in a glycol solution.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, additional colors can be formed through a combination of the above noted solutions, therefore these and other colors are contemplated by the presently described inventive concepts.

One embodiment of a method for anodizing and dying metal using the fluorescent anodization dye can include the following steps, which are generally illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 1. Other features of the current embodiments will become apparent in the course of the following descriptions, which are given for illustration of the current embodiments, and are not intended to be limiting thereof.

Step 1. Degreasing. In this step, the metal object can be degreased using a solution of sodium carbonate or any number of commercially available degreasing formulas. The degreaser can be rubbed over the surface of the object and scrubbed until all visible grease has been removed.

Step 2. First rinse. In this step, the object can be rinsed thoroughly with distilled water until any surface chemicals, degreasing agent or other visible debris has been removed from all surfaces.

Step 3. Caustic bath. In this step, the metallic object can be submerged in a caustic bath to remove any remaining debris and any previous anodization. In one embodiment, the caustic bath can be created from a solution of water and sodium hydroxide, Lye or caustic soda, for example.

In the preferred embodiment, the object can be submerged and remain within the solution until becoming gunmetal matte in appearance. In most instances, this will occur within 5 minutes, but other timeframes are contemplated based on the amount of previous anodization.

Step 4. Second rinse. In the preferred embodiment, the object will be removed from the caustic bath using a titanium wire or other tool, for example, so as to not be touched by the user's skin. Once removed, the object can undergo a second rinsing procedure using distilled water until all of the caustic bath remnants from step 3 have been removed.

Step 5. Anodization bath. In this step, an anodization bath can be prepared. The bath can preferably be formed from a solution containing 33% battery acid and 67% distilled water. A lead block can be partially submerged within the bath, and the dry portion of the block can be connected to a cathode.

In the preferred embodiment, the titanium wire can be used to submerge the object within the anodization bath such that the object does not make contact with the lead block, the bottom or the sides of the bath itself.

Step 6. Apply current. In this step, an anode can be connected to the titanium tool, suspending the metallic object within the bath, and both the anode and the cathode can be connected to a DC variable switching power supply. In the preferred embodiment, the power supply can be activated so as to supply 0.8 amps and between 15-31 volts into the bath.

Depending on the desired thickness of the anodization coat, the following equation can be used: Minutes to anodize=(mils of coating desired×720)/Amps per ft² for an acid bath at the rate of 12-20% by weight sulfuric acid; 40-80° F. In most instances, 60 minutes is suitable.

Step 7. Third rinse. In the preferred embodiment, the object will be removed from the anodization bath using the titanium wire and undergo a third rinsing procedure using distilled water until all of the anodization bath remnants from step 6 have been removed.

Step 8. Dye bath. In this step, the rinsed object from step 7 can be submerged in a fluorescent anodization dye bath consisting of one or more of the dye bath formulas described above. The formula to be chosen based on the desired resulting color and fluorescent properties of the object. In the preferred embodiment, the object should be introduced into the dye bath quickly, e.g., no longer than 90 seconds from exiting the anodization bath. Such a feature is important as longer times reduce the efficacy of the dye.

In the preferred embodiment, the dye bath can be pre-heated to a temperature of 130° F., and the object can remain suspended within the dye bath for at least 30 minutes. Such a time and temperature functioning to begin the process of sealing the dye within the fresh anodized coating.

Step 9. Seal the dye. In this step, the object from step 8 can be submerged within boiling distilled water for 15 minutes. The time and temperature functioning to fully seal the dye with the fresh anodized coating, thus fully blending the fluorescent and anodized properties together.

Although described above as utilizing boiling distilled water to seal the metallic object, other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, in one embodiment, the material from step 8 can be left at a room temperature of between about 70-95 degrees with between 30%-75% humidity and left to cool and dry for a period of between 3 and 6 hours. Such a feature being beneficial for certain applications to prevent color leaching.

As a result, upon the conclusion of step 9, the resulting metallic object will comprise a specifically chosen color and fluorescent qualities that are bonded to the metal via the anodization process.

Although described above as utilizing particular components and/or steps in a particular order, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, those of skill in the art will recognize that any number of different types of components can be utilized, as described above, to create the fluorescent properties of the resulting metallic object. Additionally, the above noted steps may also be performed in an order different than that described above. As such, the invention is not to be construed as limiting.

Accordingly, owing to the above noted fluorescent dye and method, the fluorescent qualities of the metallic object will only appear when an ultraviolet light is used. To this end, the resulting metallic object will appear a first color when not exposed to ultraviolet lighting and will appear a second-fluorescent color when exposed to an ultraviolet light.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the term “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A method for anodizing and dying metal, said method comprising: removing grease from a metallic object to be dyed; preparing a caustic bath; submerging the metallic object within the caustic bath for a first period of time; preparing an anodization bath; submerging the metallic object within the anodization bath; applying a current and a voltage to the submerged metallic object within the anodization bath for a second period of time; preparing a fluorescent dye bath; submerging the metallic object within the fluorescent dye bath for a third period of time; and performing a sealing procedure on the metallic object to create a fluorescent dyed and anodized finish on the metallic object.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart a green fluorescent color onto the metallic object.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises: a solution containing 1% Pyranine in distilled water.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart a light teal fluorescent color onto the metallic object.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises: a solution containing 1% Pyranine in glycol solution.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart a dark teal fluorescent color onto the metallic object.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises: a solution containing 1% Pyranine in an ethylene glycol solution.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart a blue fluorescent color onto the metallic object.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises: a solution containing 1% Triphenylmethane in distilled water.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart an orange fluorescent color onto the metallic object.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises: a solution containing 1% Xanthene and Coumarin in a glycol solution.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart a pink fluorescent color onto the metallic object.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises: a solution containing 1% Rhodamine in a glycol solution.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the preparing the caustic bath comprises: preparing a solution of water and sodium hydroxide, Lye or caustic soda; and the first period of time comprises 5 minutes.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: performing a first rinse procedure between the degreasing step and the caustic bath step; performing a second rinse procedure between the caustic bath step and the anodization bath step; and performing a third rinse procedure between the anodization bath step and the dye bath step.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the first rinse procedure, the second rinse procedure and the third rinse procedure utilize distilled water.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealing procedure comprises: submerging the metallic object within boiling distilled water for 15 minutes.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealing procedure comprises: positioning the metallic object in a room temperature environment for between 3 and 6 hours, said room temperature environment comprising a temperature of between 70 degrees and 95 degrees, and a humidity level of between 30% and 70%. 